Who'll be Welsh Paw-liament dog of the year?

Janet Finch-Saunders, Conservative MS for Aberconwy and her Welsh collie, Alfie

Voters are being urged to put “pawlitical” rivalries aside and choose their favourite canine candidate in the first Senedd Dog of the Year competition.

Five Members of the Senedd (MS) are taking part in the event at Britannia Park, Cardiff, on 23 May.

The Welsh event follows in the footsteps of the Westminster Dog of the Year and Holyrood Dog of the Year competitions.

Organised jointly by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, it aims to celebrate the “unique bond between dogs and their owners”, promote responsible ownership and encouraging the discussion of canine welfare issues.

The contenders, in no "pawticular" order, are:

• Jane Dodds, Lib Dem, Mid and West Wales, and greyhound Wanda

• Jack Sargeant, Labour, Alyn and Deeside, and cavalier King Charles spaniel Coco

• James Evans, Conservative, Brecon and Radnorshire, and cocker spaniel Bonnie

• Janet Finch-Saunders, Conservative, Aberconwy, and Welsh collie Alfie

• Darren Millar, Conservative, Clwyd West, and whippet Blue

There is a public online vote, and judges on the day will also assess the entrants on their "good dog deeds and winning personalities".

Labour MS Jack Sargeant with his cavalier King Charles spaniel Coco

Darren Millar, Conservative MS for Clwyd West and whippet Blue

Jane Dodds, Lib Dem MS for Mid and West Wales and greyhound Wanda

James Evans, Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire and cocker spaniel Bonnie